Pesticide Information Resource

Calling your attention to a service providing pesticide information to
the public and professionals...
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National Pesticide Telecommunications Network (NPTN) -
A Toll-Free and Internet Accessible Pesticide Information Service
Have you ever wanted a source of objective pesticide
information or a place to refer your clients? Have you ever wondered
or been asked the following questions: Is it dangerous to use
pesticides for insect control if I am pregnant or have small children?
What is the persistence of the chemicals used on my lawn for weed
control? Will they contaminate my well? Could this old bottle of
liquid I found in the garage be a pesticide? If you have had these
questions and longed for a place to call, the National Pesticide
Telecommunications Network (NPTN) may be a useful resource for you!
NPTN is a toll-free information service -- available to any
caller in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands --
sponsored cooperatively by Oregon State University and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NPTN provides objective,
science-based information about a wide variety of pesticide-related
subjects including: pesticide products, pesticide poisonings,
toxicology, and environmental chemistry.
NPTN is open to questions from the public and
professionals. It is staffed by highly qualified and trained pesticide
specialists who have the toxicology and environmental chemistry
training needed to provide knowledgeable answers to questions about
pesticides. Pesticide specialists can help callers interpret and
understand toxicology and environmental chemistry information about
pesticides.
NPTN receives more than 2000 calls per month. Most callers are
homeowners concerned about their family's health when pesticides are
being used in and around their home (e.g. for control of ants,
termites, fleas, or garden and lawn pests). NPTN can provide
information on the pesticides used in these situations and methods to
reduce exposure. While NPTN does not make recommendations about which
pesticides to use for control of pests, NPTN can direct callers to
local resources for products available in their area.
If people call with pesticide emergencies, NPTN can connect
them directly with the Oregon Poison Control Center or the National
Animal Poison Control Center. NPTN can also direct callers for
pesticide incident investigations, safety practices, clean-up and
disposal, and laboratory analyses.
NPTN uses a variety of information sources such as EPA
documents, USDA Cooperative Extension publications, the scientific
literature, and a pesticide product database. Information is available
at no-cost over the phone and non-copyrighted materials can be mailed
or faxed for a nominal fee. Information is also available through the
NPTN World Wide Web site at: http://ace.orst.edu/info/nptn/
NPTN can be reached 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time,
Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Saturday and Sunday service
will begin in Spring 1997. Telephone: 1-800-858-7378 Fax:
1-541-737-0761. Email: nptn at ace.orst.edu
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Terry L. Miller - Extension Pesticide Coordinator &
Director, National Pesticide
Telecommunications Network
Ag Chemistry Extension Email: millert at ace.orst.edu
Oregon State University Phone: 541/737-1811
333 Weniger FAX: 541/737-0761
Corvallis, OR 97331-6502
USA